Geelong coach Chris Scott isn't sure the Cats have the formula to beat ladder-topping Adelaide, but key defender Tom Lonergan is expected to return to help combat the potent Crows forward line.

Lonergan, 33, was managed last week for the Cats' two-point win over Port Adelaide but Chris Scott said he would almost certainly return to face the Crows on Friday night at Simonds Stadium.

It shapes as an important inclusion, with the Crows boasting six multiple goal kickers – with skipper and key forward Taylor Walker managing just one – last Saturday night against Fremantle in the wet.

"They are a forward line where if one doesn't get you, the other will," Scott said on Wednesday.

"I could go on and on about the challenges that they present.

"Their talls are really strong. [Tom] Lynch is an important player for them, connecting them from the back half, [Andy] Otten has added a new dimension since [Mitch] McGovern went out, their small forwards are as good as anyone's.

"When their midfield is on top, they give them pretty good delivery, so it's multi-faceted.

"If you stop them marking the ball, they've proved at ground level they're really dangerous as well, and the wet slippery conditions don't worry them too much, as they handled the ball well last week in some pretty horrible conditions.

"The last thing I want to do is sit here and say we've got the formula against Adelaide. I just don't believe that's the case."

Nakia Cockatoo is also in contention after missing a week with a hamstring injury.